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Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Packing Up for Camp Couture

Exciting news, readers: I'm going to sewing camp! Okay, not really. It's actually Susan Khalje's 6-day Couture Sewing School in Baltimore, which I've privately been calling Camp Couture. There's a lot of prep to do before I leave Friday evening: making my muslin, packing up my beeswax and hair canvas, that sort of thing. I've decided to work on the coat project that will be in my book: a beautiful full-skirted frock coat in lovely turquoise wool flannel, inspired by a 50s pattern. That way I get to enjoy the week of learning and also accomplish steps towards my book deadline. Win-win!

I'm especially excited that the work room in the hotel will be open around the clock. I'm going to pack up some other book projects and sew like the wind. That is, if I'm not too tired from soaking up all the couture knowledge. Heck, I might end up just spending my evenings enjoying the bath tub and watching America's Next Top Model reruns or something.

It feels a little strange to be taking so much time off work to go do something like this, but also very satisfying to spend my time and money on something so important to me. Have you ever taken a sewing vacation?

I've never been on a 'sewing vacation', but I'd love to take one! There are so many projects on the to do list, it would be wonderful to have some real time (not 30 minutes at night before I pass out from a full day, hee) to work on them. And with other sewists, too! And a bonafide pattern-fitting guru! Sigh. So jealous--enjoy your trip!

I've taken one-day sewing classes but never something this intense. I'm jealous!! I did get to go to SOAR, the Spin-Off Autumn Retreat last year for a full week of fiber spinning, so I know how excited you are. Have a ball!

I have never taken a sewing vacation, but it has been on my mind for the last couple of years to do one day, just get away by myself somewhere or with a friend, go somewhere really pretty, and sew up a storm. I hope you have a wonderful time. I know you will. And I'm sooo excited about you book. I know it's going to be awesome. Thank you so much for taking the time to write it.

Have a wonderful time! And thank you so much for providing the link; I would love to take this class! I don't live far from Baltimore, and I see that she is offering it again in October. Lucky me! Can't wait to hear how it is. :-)

omg!! that is so awesome! i live in baltimore (LOVE it here btw) and have been searching around in the past week for a place to take sewing classes. im not enough of a sewer to do the camp but still its so good to know it exists here. sounds so fun!janinehoneyhivintage.blogspot.com

Gertie, you are going to enjoy Susan's class. She is truly a master of the art and her personality is just pure sweetness. I know a couple ladies who will be at the class with you and no doubt it will meeting of the minds of some very talented / creative people. Have fun!

I have never had the pleasure of being able to take a "sewing" vacation, but I would LOVE to. I don't live too far from Baltimore, either - maybe the next one. It would be a great thing to blog about on my website!

I live in Baltimore! If you decide one night that you'd like to go out on the town instead of sewing or that lovely sounding bath, you should email me and let me know! Baltimore is largely underrated; there are tons of good places to eat and go out to, and I'd be happy to meet you and help you have a fun vacation, if you like.

I love sewing vacations! Last year, I took a week off work at a time when I knew my husband would be out of town for a few days. I spent 3 or 4 days straight doing almost nothing but sewing and getting my sewing room all organized. It was amazing! Have fun! I'm totally jealous.

I've never taken a "sewing vacation" with the level of structure or, well, actual travel that you're embarking on--I do often use sewing as my justification for mini-breaks from schoolwork, though. As in "no crawling through the card catalog tonight, guys, I'm taking a vacation and finishing that pencil skirt I started...in October."

awesome. would you be posting your progress at the 6 days intensive couture sewing camp? i've been wanting to take the course w/ susan k. in SF. also, i heard it's really intense but well worth it! have fun!

I think it's lovely for you to invest for yourself, especially since you get so much out of these experiences. I can't wait to hear about sewing sleepaway camp, I hope at least one evening is spent sewing with furious inspiration and abandon! Bring extra fabric in case a new dress comes to you in a dream and you must create it in a fervor that casts all other ordered projects aside!

I would sooooo love to go on a sewing vacation!!! Unfortunatly theres none anywhere near to me, I've helped on a few felting holiday course's and everyone had such fun and they said they had learnt loads! One day......:)

Last September I took a 5 day sewing vacation. Felt guilty taking leave from work and being away from home that length of time, but if given the chance to do it again - I will. It was an awesome experience. You will love every second of it.

I'm just gonna throw this out there- if the coat is going to be in your book, isn't it a little simple for a couture class? I mean, your readers will mostly not have couture skills, so why would you use those techniques on a demo coat? Take a real sewing vacation, and make something gorgeous for your gorgeous self. I'm jus' sayin'.

CJ, my book will have advanced beginner to advanced projects, and will teach couture skills and an entire chapter devoted to advanced skills like tailoring. So it's actually perfect! :) I'm excited to make it.

I'm so jealous! I wish I had the money and time to do this, but more importantly, I wish I knew about it beforehand! (This year wouldn't have worked for me, but still.) I'm starting some crafting parties and crafting weekends in the next few months with friends/family. I am in the area while you are. Let me know if you want to explore Baltimore!

I'm so so jealous. Have fun. I have a week off later in the year and was thinking I would do exactly that... go away and sew - or learn to sew better than i currently do. Now I just have to find a course in the UK. I can't wait to hear about the course and i'm excited to see the coat.

I took a week-long fiber arts class at the John Campbell Folk School in NC about a year and a half ago. It was fabulous...learned alot, plus was in the mountains in the fall when the leaves were changing...soooo relaxing..I highly recommend this school!!

I am still mad at myself because: A few years ago, Susan taught a class in my city, literally about 3 blocks from my home. At the time, I didn't know much about her and I didn't realize what an amazing (and rare) opportunity this would be. So I didn't sign up.

Couture camp happened practically in my own back yard, and I missed it. (Aargh!)

Nowadays, I check her website often, to see where she's teaching. If she ever comes back here, I won't miss the opportunity again.

Drats! This is the year that I decided that I am going to Susan's "Camp Couture". For me, it was between this week and a week in October and I decided to go to the latter. If I would have known that I could have met you, I would definitely be packing up too. Have fun!

Very cool! I've taken private sewing vacations--or as I like to call them "sewcations", during which I stay at home and make progress on all the projects that sit and sit and sit during normal day-to-day life because I have little time and less energy to advance them. It would be fun to take a sewcation that involved seminars and workshops, too!

Camp Couture sounds fabulous! I hope to someday be able to go. As for sewing vacations....I guess you can call my period of long term unemployment a "sewing vacation". After all I taught myself to sew and started a sewing business during that time!

I'd like to take September of this year to focus on sewing. I'm a beginning sewer and ideally I'd be learning in a vibrant city with other attractions to enjoy when I'm not behind the machine. Do you have any suggestions in terms of schools, retreats, or workshops? Thanks!